Comprehensive Guide To Covid-19 Perks And Freebies For Healthcare Workers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies and organizations stepped forward to support healthcare workers and first responders on the frontlines. These acts of kindness included a wide range of freebies, discounts, and resources designed to provide practical support, comfort, and professional development opportunities. This guide compiles the available information on these offerings across various categories, including apparel, wellness apps, training programs, and communication tools.

Apparel and Footwear

Comfortable and appropriate footwear and apparel are essential for healthcare workers who spend long hours on their feet in demanding environments. Several companies recognized this need and responded with donation programs and special offers.

Crocs

Crocs launched a significant initiative called the "Sharing A Free Pair For Healthcare" program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, the company donated shoes to healthcare workers on the frontlines. The initiative resulted in over 860,000 pairs of shoes being donated globally to healthcare workers combating COVID-19. Healthcare workers could claim a free pair of shoes with free shipping through the company's program.

Nike

Nike demonstrated support for healthcare workers through multiple initiatives. The company partnered with nonprofit Good360 to donate 30,000 pairs of the Nike Air Zoom Pulse to health systems and hospitals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, and New York City, as well as within the Veterans Health Administration. Additionally, Nike offered free premium service for its Nike app, Nike Running Club (NRC) app, and Nike Training Club (NTC) app through the "Play Inside, Play for the World" program.

Barco Uniforms

Barco Uniforms, a recognized leader in the medical apparel industry, committed to donating scrubs to medical professionals on the frontlines for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Healthcare workers could submit a request through the company's website to receive these donations.

Clove

Clove, a footwear company, included free compression socks with every purchase. Customers could add a pair of socks to their cart containing shoes and use code WITHLOVE to receive the discount. This offer provided healthcare workers with additional comfort items during their long shifts.

Ably Apparel

Ably Apparel created a special promotion for first responders. The company invited first responders to tag themselves on Ably's Instagram page starting April 8th, and in return, the company would send them a free item from their website.

Kerusso

Kerusso offered a 10% discount on all items in their store as a token of gratitude for the tireless work of first responders. While not a free item, this discount provided healthcare workers with an opportunity to purchase apparel and accessories at a reduced cost.

Tieks by Gavrieli

Tieks by Gavrieli, an L.A.-based shoe brand, launched the #SewTOGETHER Challenge to encourage customers to sew masks for frontline workers. The company offered a $50 Tieks gift card to anyone who sewed 25 masks and a $100 gift card for those who sewed 50 or more masks.

Healthcare Heroes Merchandise

The Jim Coleman store created special merchandise including shirts and water bottles specifically designed for healthcare heroes. While these items were for sale rather than free, they provided healthcare workers with an opportunity to show pride in their profession.

Digital Wellness and Fitness Resources

The pandemic led to an increased focus on mental and physical wellness, with several companies offering free access to their digital platforms to support healthcare workers' well-being.

Nike Digital Platforms

Nike's "Play Inside, Play for the World" program provided healthcare workers with free premium access to several of its digital fitness platforms. This included the Nike Training Club (NTC) app, which offered various workout programs, and the Nike Running Club (NRC) app, which provided training plans and guided runs. These resources enabled healthcare workers to maintain their fitness routines while spending more time at home.

TB12 Virtual Coaching

Tom Brady's fitness brand TB12 offered a free Virtual Performance and Recovery Coaching Session with a TB12 Body Coach to any healthcare member working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers could book a complimentary virtual session through the company's website, receiving personalized guidance on performance and recovery techniques.

Ten Percent Happier Meditation App

Ten Percent Happier, a meditation app, provided free access to healthcare workers, grocery employees, and food delivery personnel. The app offered guided meditation sessions and mindfulness resources to help manage stress and anxiety during the challenging pandemic period. Interested individuals could fill out a form on the Ten Percent Happier website to receive access to the app.

Supporti Accountability App

Supporti, an accountability partner app, offered healthcare workers a free one-month subscription. The app matches users one-on-one with a buddy for a week at a time, providing daily support toward achieving personal goals such as meditation or staying hydrated. Healthcare workers could contact Supporti via email to receive a special code for the complimentary subscription.

Professional Development and Training

Several organizations recognized the need for specialized training during the pandemic and offered free courses and certification programs to healthcare workers.

IntelyCare COVID-19 Training

IntelyCare, a workforce management solution for post-acute facilities, launched a free COVID-19 training certification program in response to the pandemic. This program provided healthcare workers with essential knowledge and skills to safely care for patients with COVID-19.

American Nurses Association Training

The American Nurses Association offered free COVID-19 training for nurses titled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic." This specialized training aimed to help nurses protect themselves while delivering optimal care to patients.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Resources

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses provided a free online course titled "Pulmonary, ARDS, and Ventilator Resources" available 24/7. This course featured the latest information that nurses needed to provide care for patients with COVID-19, particularly those with respiratory complications.

Osmosis COVID-19 Resources

Osmosis developed multiple resources for COVID-19, including: - A free COVID-19 course for health professionals, eligible for 2 CME credits - Free clinical skill videos on related topics such as imaging features and body temperature assessment - Free events including meditation and yoga sessions, and AMA sessions hosted by their Chief Medical Officer

These resources provided healthcare workers with comprehensive educational materials to enhance their understanding and management of COVID-19 patients.

Communication and Support Tools

Effective communication and emotional support became increasingly important during the pandemic, with several companies offering specialized tools and resources.

Speeko App

Speeko provided free access to their app through 2020 for nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. The app focuses on coaching people on effective communication skills, which became particularly important in the high-stress environment of healthcare during the pandemic. Additionally, Speeko maintained a free list of COVID-19 communication resources on their website to support healthcare workers in their professional interactions.

Additional Resources and Considerations

While the above categories cover the majority of documented perks and freebies for healthcare workers during COVID-19, it's important to note that the list is not exhaustive. Many other companies and organizations offered support through various means, including donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), financial contributions, and other in-kind donations.

Healthcare workers interested in accessing these resources should verify current availability, as many offers were time-limited or contingent on ongoing pandemic conditions. Additionally, eligibility requirements varied by program, with some specifically targeting frontline healthcare workers while others extended to first responders and other essential workers.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an unprecedented response from companies and organizations seeking to support healthcare workers and first responders. This support manifested in various forms, from free apparel and footwear to digital wellness resources, professional development opportunities, and communication tools. While the pandemic presented numerous challenges, these acts of kindness provided practical support and demonstrated the value placed on healthcare workers' contributions during this global crisis.

Healthcare workers interested in these resources should check the respective company websites for the most current information on availability and eligibility. As the situation evolves, new opportunities may emerge, and existing offers may be extended or modified to continue supporting those on the frontlines.

Sources

1. Aliem: Wellness Perks for Healthcare Workers During COVID-19
2. Work It Daily: Perks and Resources Available to Healthcare Workers During COVID-19
3. RegisteredNursing.org: List of Freebies for Nurses During the COVID-19 Crisis & Nurses Week 2020
4. Nurse.org: Offers, Freebies & Discounts for Healthcare Workers
5. Claritywave: COVID-19 Freebies During the Coronavirus Pandemic